Information processing apparatus and output apparatus

ABSTRACT

There is provided an information processing apparatus having a setting unit for setting an instruction for an inquiry of the capacity of a memory on a data destination side, and a transfer unit for transferring the instruction set by the setting unit to an external apparatus. There is also provided an output apparatus having a memory for storing data received from an external apparatus, and an output unit responsive to a reception of an instruction of an inquiry of the capacity of the memory from the external apparatus, for outputting information of the capacity of the memory to the external apparatus. There is also provided an output apparatus having a plurality of motors driven for an output process or a storage process, and an inhibit unit for inhibiting, when at least one of plurality of motors is driven, the other motors to be driven.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to an information processingapparatus for transferring data to an external apparatus, and an outputapparatus for outputting information of the data supplied from anexternal apparatus.

[0003] 2. Related Background Art

[0004] Print data such as character patterns and image data is suppliedfrom an external apparatus such as a host computer to a printer to printit. With a conventional printer, the host computer cannot know the typeand capacity of a memory of the printer in which the transmitted printdata is stored. Specifically, in a conventional printer of the type thata character pattern once down-loaded from a host computer is used when acharacter code is received thereafter, there occurs the problem that thehost computer cannot know at all the type and capacity of a memory suchas a non-volatile memory and an ordinary volatile memory.

[0005] The host computer therefore cannot know how much characterpatterns can be transmitted to the printer and what available capacityan alterable non-volatile memory still has. As a result, there may occura case wherein a character pattern cannot be printed after it wastransmitted and a print instruction was executed, or the host computeris informed that a transmitted character pattern is not being stored inthe printer, only after an error message is returned. Under suchconditions, the host computer is required to transmit same characterpatterns each time a print is executed, or alternatively a non-volatilememory of unnecessarily large capacity is required to be provided in theprinter.

[0006] Along with the above, motors of a printer and a hard disk drivehave been activated independently and randomly. It is thereforenecessary for a motor power source to have a current capacity allowingto activate all motors at the same time.

[0007] For example, the drive current and time of a general motor has arelationship as shown in FIG. 14 wherein I1 is a drive current requiredat the initial stage of motor activation, and I2 is a drive currentrequired at the steady stage of motor operation which is generally halfthe current I1. It is therefore necessary to use a power source with acurrent capacity of I1×2 for allowing a drive motor for a printerphotosensitive drum and a hard disk drive motor at the same time. Thiscurrent capacity becomes large as the number of motors increases, suchas 3×I1 for three motors.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Under the above circumstances, it is therefore an object of thepresent invention to provide an information processing apparatus capableof inquiring the capacity of a memory in which transmitted data isstored, and an output apparatus capable of outputting informationrepresenting the memory capacity in response to the memory capacityinquiry from an external apparatus.

[0009] In order to solve such problems, the present invention providesan information processing apparatus comprising: setting means forsetting an instruction for an inquiry of the capacity of a memory meanson a data destination side; and transferring means for transferring theinstruction set by the setting means to an external apparatus.

[0010] In order to solve such problems, the present invention providesan output apparatus comprising: memory means for storing data receivedfrom an external apparatus; and output means responsive to a receptionof an instruction of an inquiry of the capacity of the memory means fromthe external apparatus, for outputting information of the capacity ofthe memory means to the external apparatus.

[0011] Under the above circumstances, it is therefore an object of thepresent invention to provide an information processing apparatus capableof designating one of a plurality of memories on the data destinationside and storing data in the designated memory, and an output apparatusfor storing received data in the designated memory in accordance withthe received memory designating information from an external apparatus.

[0012] In order to solve such problems, the present invention providesan information processing apparatus comprising: generating means forgenerating an instruction of designating one of a plurality of memorymeans on a data destination side; and transferring means fortransferring the instruction generated by the generating means to anexternal apparatus.

[0013] In order to solve such problems, the present invention providesan output apparatus comprising: a plurality of memory means for storingdata received from an external apparatus; and controlling meansresponsive to the reception of an instruction of designating one of theplurality of memory means and the data sent from the external apparatus,for storing the data in the designated memory means in accordance withthe instruction.

[0014] It is an object of the present invention to provide an outputapparatus capable of reducing the current consumed at the same time andhence the capacity of the power source, by inhibiting a plurality ofmotors being driven at the same time.

[0015] In order to solve such problems, the present invention providesan output apparatus comprising: a plurality of motors driven for anoutput process or a storage process; and inhibiting means forinhibiting, when at least one of the plurality of motors is driven, theother motors to be driven.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016]FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the outline of the structure ofa printer according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0017]FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view showing the structure of theprinter of the first embodiment.

[0018]FIG. 3 shows the format of a command to be issued from a hostcomputer for the inquiry of memory information.

[0019]FIG. 4 shows the format of a response message returned from theprinter to the host computer.

[0020]FIG. 5 is a flow chart explaining the operation of the printer ofthe first embodiment.

[0021]FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the outline structure of theprinter according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0022]FIG. 7 shows an example of the format of a command to be sent fromthe host computer to the printer of the second embodiment.

[0023]FIG. 8 shows an example of a character pattern sent from the hostcomputer.

[0024]FIG. 9 is a flow chart explaining the operation of storing acharacter pattern by the printer of the second embodiment.

[0025]FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the outline structure of theprinter according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[0026]FIG. 11 is a circuit diagram of the motor controller of theprinter of the third embodiment.

[0027]FIG. 12 shows the structure of the hard disk of the printer of thethird embodiment.

[0028]FIG. 13 shows the outline structure of the printing unit of theprinter of the third embodiment.

[0029]FIG. 14 is a graph showing the drive current of a general motor atthe initial stage of actuation and at the steady state.

[0030]FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing the outline structure of aprinter which is a modification of the third embodiment.

[0031]FIG. 16 is a circuit diagram of the motor controller of theprinter shown in FIG. 15.

[0032]FIG. 17 shows a status request menu.

[0033]FIG. 18 shows a status reception menu.

[0034]FIG. 19 shows a character pattern storage menu.

[0035]FIG. 20 is a perspective view showing the structure of an ink jetprinter applicable to the present invention.

[0036]FIG. 21 is a block diagram showing the outline structure of theink jet printer shown in FIG. 20.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0037] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be describedwith reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0038]FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the outline of the structure ofa control unit of a laser beam printer according to an embodiment ofthis invention. FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view showing the structureof the laser beam printer shown in FIG. 1. Although a laser beam printeris used in this embodiment, other printers such as an ink jet printershown in FIGS. 20 and 21 may also be used.

[0039]FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view showing the structure of a laserbeam printer (LBP) 100 shown in FIG. 1. LBP 100 is structured so that anexternal apparatus such as a host computer 10 can load in LBP 100character pattern data, form data, and the like.

[0040] Referring to FIG. 2, reference numeral 100 generally representsthe laser beam printer. LBP 100 stores character pattern data, formdata, macro instructions, and the like externally supplied from the hostcomputer 10 or the like, and supplies such character patterns, formpatterns, and the like to form corresponding images on a recordingmedium such as a recording sheet. Reference numeral 300 represents anoperation panel on which various switches and LED displays are mounted.Reference numeral 101 represents a printer control unit which controlsthe whole part of LBP 100 and analyzes character codes or the likeentered from the host computer. The printer control unit 101 converts acharacter code into a video signal of the corresponding characterpattern, and outputs the video signal to a laser driver 102.

[0041] The laser driver 102 is a circuit for driving a semiconductorlaser 103 by turning it on and off in accordance with an inputted videosignal. A laser beam 104 is moved in the right or left direction by arotary polygon mirror 105 to scan an electrostatic drum 106, so that anelectrostatic latent image of a character pattern is formed on the drum106. This latent image is developed by a developing unit 107 disposedaround the drum 106, and transferred onto a recording cut-sheet paper.Recording sheets are accommodated within a paper cassette mounted on LBP100, and fed within LBP 100 by means of paper supply rollers 109 andpaper feed rollers 110 and 111 to sequentially load them on theelectrostatic drum 106.

[0042] The structure of the printer control unit 101 will be describedwith reference to FIG. 1.

[0043] Reference numeral 11 represents an input/output buffer having aninput device such as a pointing device not shown, and transferring datato and from the host computer 10. Reference numeral 12 represents a pagememory for storing document data sent from the host computer 10 in unitof page. Reference numeral 13 represents a bit map memory which storesdot image data corresponding to code data loaded in the page memory 12while referring to a character generator 18 or non-volatile memory 19.Reference numeral 14 represents a main controller whose CPU 140 controlsthe printer control unit 101 in accordance with programs (shown by theflow charts of FIGS. 5 and 9) stored in ROM 141 by using the workingarea of a RAM not shown. Reference numeral 15 represents a scan bufferfor storing dot data in unit of scan line, the dot data being sent to aprinting mechanism shown in FIG. 2. While data is being written in onebuffer (e.g., 150), data is being, read from the other buffer (e.g.,151) and outputted to the printing unit. The scan buffer 15 operates asa so-called double buffer.

[0044] Reference numeral 16 represents a P/S converter for convertingparallel data into serial data. Reference numeral 17 represents aprinter I/F unit for outputting serial dot data to the laser driver 102shown in FIG. 2. Reference numeral 18 represents a character generatorwhich is constituted by a RAM 180 and a ROM 181 storing predeterminedcharacter patterns or the like. Reference numeral 19 represents anon-volatile memory such as an erasable flash PROM and EEPROM.

[0045] The operation of the printer 100 constructed as above will bedescribed next.

[0046] Of character patterns to be printed by the printer 100, the hostcomputer 10 first sends via a data line character patterns of charactercodes not stored in the character generator 18 or non-volatile memory19.

[0047] Prior to sending character patterns, the host computer 10 sends acommand to the printer 100 to check the memory capacity of the printer100.

[0048]FIG. 3 shows a format of a command to be sent from the hostcomputer 10 to the printer 100 for checking the memory capacity. Acommand has specific codes not used by general document data todistinguish between the command and document codes.

[0049] Referring to FIG. 3, reference numeral 201 represents a RAMcapacity code used for checking the capacity of RAM 180 of the charactergenerator 18 of the printer 100 which stores character patterns sentfrom the host computer 10. Reference numeral 202 represents an availableRAM capacity code used for checking the available amount of RAM 180storage area. Reference numeral 203 represents a PROM capacity code usedfor checking the capacity of the non-volatile memory (flash PROM) 19which stores character patterns. Reference numeral 204 represents anavailable PROM capacity code used for checking the available amount ofthe non-volatile memory 19 storage area. A command shown in FIG. 3 canbe generated by selecting icons on a status request menu 1000 such asshown in FIG. 17 displayed on an unrepresented display screen of thehost computer 10, by using an unrepresented pointing device or the like.A CPU (not shown) of the host computer 10 outputs the command via abi-directional data line to the printer 100.

[0050] In response to the received command, CPU 140 of the printer sendsback status data shown in FIG. 4 to the host computer 10 via thebidirectional data line. A status reception menu such as shown in FIG.18 is then displayed on the unrepresented display screen of the hostcomputer 10.

[0051] Referring to FIG. 4, reference numeral 301 represents a RAMcapacity code for indicating the capacity of RAM 180. Reference numeral302 represents the number of bytes of the capacity of RAM 180, thecapacity being represented by the number of bytes (e.g., 2 M bytes). Thenumber of bytes is represented by eight bits, the minimum valuecorresponding to 10 K bytes. Reference numeral 303 represents anavailable RAM capacity code B for indicating the available amount of RAM180 storage area. Reference numeral 304 represents the number of bytes(e.g., 200 K bytes) of the available RAM 180 storage area. Referencenumeral 305 represents a PROM capacity code C for indicating thecapacity of PROM 19. Reference numeral 306 represents the number ofbytes (e.g., 200 K bytes) of the capacity of PROM 19. Reference numeral307 represents an available PROM capacity code D for indicating theavailable amount of PROM 19 storage area. Reference numeral 308represents the number of bytes (e.g., 100 K bytes) of the available PROM19 storage area. The numbers of bytes are stored in a working area tableof an unrepresented RAM of the main controller 14. In response to theinput of the command shown in FIG. 3, the status data shown in FIG. 4 isgenerated.

[0052]FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating the operation when the hostcomputer 10 sends the command shown in FIG. 3 and the printer 100returns back the status data shown in FIG. 4. This operation is executedby CPU 140 of the main controller 14 in accordance with control programsstored in ROM 141.

[0053] The operation starts when print data is received from the hostcomputer 10. At step S1 it is checked whether received data is printdata. If print data, it is stored in the page memory 12 at Step S2.After print data of one page has been stored in the page memory 12, thedata in the page memory 12 is developed into bit map data and stored inthe bit map memory 13 by referring to the character patterns stored inthe character generator 18 or non-volatile memory 19. The bit map printdata is outputted via the scan buffer 15 and P/S converter 16 to theprinting unit to print the data on a recording sheet.

[0054] If received data is not print data at Step S1, it is checked atStep S3 whether the received data is an inquiry of the capacity of RAM180 of the character generator 18. If so, at Step S4 a response message(refer to 301 and 302 of FIG. 4) for indicating the capacity of RAM 180is generated while referring to the working area table in theunrepresented RAM of the main controller 14. Next, it is checked at StepS5 whether the received data is an inquiry of the available capacity ofRAM 180 storage area. If so, at Step S6 a response message (refer to 303and 304 of FIG. 4) for indicating the available capacity of RAM 180storage area is generated while referring to the working area table. Itis checked at Step S11 whether there is a response message. If aresponse message is present, it is supplied to the host computer 10. Thedata in the table is updated by CPU 140 which always monitors theavailable capacities of RAM 180 and PROM 19 storage areas. The totalcapacities of RAM 180 and PROM 19 are loaded in the table upon power-onof the printer.

[0055] After the memory capacity of the printer 100 is checked, the hostcomputer 10 sends character patterns to the printer 100. The characterpatterns are stored in RAM 180 of the character generator 18 or in thenon-volatile memory 19, and referred to when a character code isdeveloped into a pattern. If character patterns in excess of the memorycapacity are sent to the printer 100, an error status indicating amemory-over is sent from the printer 100 to the host computer 10 via thedata line interconnecting the printer 100 and host computer 10. In thisembodiment, a character pattern storage menu 1002 such as shown in FIG.19 is displayed on the unrepresented display screen of the hostcomputer. An error status of the storage result is displayed andreported to the user.

[0056] Whether character patterns sent to the printer 100 from the hostcomputer 10 under the control of the unrepresented CPU are to be storedin the non-volatile memory 19 or RAM 180, may be designated from thecharacter pattern storage menu 1002 by using the pointing device or thelike. With such an arrangement, it is possible to prevent an over-flowof character patterns unable to be stored in the memory of the printer100. This will be described in detail in the second embodiment.

[0057]FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the outline of the structure ofa printer according to the second embodiment of this invention. In FIG.6, like elements to those shown in FIG. 1 are represented by usingidentical reference numerals, and the description therefor is omitted.

[0058] A non-volatile memory 19 may be mounted on or dismounted from theprinter by using a connector 115. If a user does not require thenon-volatile memory 19, i.e., if the user does not require to storecharacter patterns, the printer without the non-volatile memory of lowcost can be purchased.

[0059] A new non-volatile memory unit 19 storing desired characterpatterns may be replaced by an old non-volatile memory 19 so thatdesired character patterns can be printed instead of receiving them fromthe host computer 10.

[0060] The operation of the printer of the second embodiment will bedescribed with reference to FIGS. 7 to 9. The structure of this printeris substantially the same as that of the first embodiment printer shownin FIGS. 1 and 2, and so the description of the structure is omitted.

[0061] In the second embodiment, prior to printing, character patternsnot present in the character generator 18 and non-volatile memory 19 ofthe printer 100 are transmitted (down-loaded) from the host computer 10and loaded in the printer.

[0062]FIG. 7 shows an example of a command to be sent from CPU of thehost computer 10 to the printer 100 when down-loading characterpatterns.

[0063] In FIG. 7, reference numeral 701 represents a pattern codeindicating that the following data is for a character pattern. Referencenumeral 702 represents a character code, and reference numeral 703represents storage medium data indicating whether the character patternis to be stored in RAM 180 of the character generator 18 or in thenon-volatile memory 19, the storage medium data being set using thecharacter pattern storage menu 1002. Reference numeral 704 represents acharacter pattern corresponding to the character code 702. Referencenumeral 705 represents an end code indicating the end of data.

[0064]FIG. 8 shows an example of a character pattern to be transmittedfrom the host computer 10 to the printer.

[0065] Referring to the flow chart shown in FIG. 9, the operation of theprinter 100 after receiving the command shown in FIG. 7 will bedescribed.

[0066] The operation starts when data is received from the hostcomputer. First, at Step S21 it is checked whether received datacontains the pattern code 701. If not contained, the operation matchingthe received data is performed at Step S22. If the pattern code 701 isdetected at Step S21, the character code 702 is read at step S23.Thereafter, the storage medium data 703 is read to identify the storagemedium.

[0067] If the identified storage medium is the non-volatile memory 19,at Step S25 the character pattern 704 is stored in the non-volatilememory 19, and its character code along with the start address of thecharacter pattern is stored in an unrepresented table of thenon-volatile memory 19. If the identified storage medium is RAM 180, atStep S27 the character pattern 704 is stored in RAM 180, and itscharacter code along with the start address of the character pattern isstored in an unrepresented table of RAM 180. When the host computer 10issues a character code thereafter, the printer 100 checks whether thecorresponding character pattern is being stored in RAM 180 of thecharacter generator 18 or in the non-volatile memory 19. If it is beingstored, the character pattern is read from RAM 180 or from thenon-volatile memory 19 to develop it into a bit map character pattern.

[0068] Next, the third embodiment of the present invention will bedescribed with reference to FIGS. 10 to 13.

[0069]FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the outline structure of theprinter according to the third embodiment. Like elements to those shownin FIG. 1 are represented by using identical reference numerals, and thedescription therefor is omitted.

[0070] In FIG. 10, reference numeral 401 represents a font memorystoring character patterns and the like. Reference numeral 402represents a motor controller the detail of which is shown in FIG. 11and the operation of which will be described later with reference toFIG. 11. Reference numeral 404 represents an interface (I/F) unit forcontrolling the operation of a hard disk 403. The hard disk 403 storesfont data not stored in the font memory 401. A main controller 14 aoperates such that if font data is not being stored in the font memory401, it is read from the hard disk 403 and developed in a bit map memory13. The hard disk 403 may store the dot pattern developed in the bit mapmemory 13 as a standard pattern.

[0071]FIG. 12 shows the structure of the hard disk 403.

[0072] In FIG. 12, reference numeral 501 represents a magnetic disk,reference numeral 502 represents a motor for rotating the magnetic disk,and reference numeral 503 represents a pickup for reading/writing datafrom/to the magnetic disk. Reference numeral 504 represents a controllerfor controlling the hard disk 403, and reference numeral 505 representsa connection cable to the hard disk interface unit 404.

[0073] The operation of the motor controller 402 will be described withreference to FIG. 11.

[0074] Reference numeral 123 represents a ready signal. When an accessinstruction to the hard disk 403 is supplied to the hard disk I/F unit404 and if the hard disk 403 is not still activated, the hard disk I/Funit 404 outputs the ready signal changed from the low level to the highlevel. Upon this ready signal, an AND gate 161 is opened so that a startsignal 122 is outputted to the hard disk I/F unit 404. When the startsignal 122 is outputted, a multi-vibrator 163 is triggered to output apulse signal 211 of low level during the period longer than the timeduration while the drive current at the initial stage of activating themotor 502 of the hard disk 403 flows. Therefore, during this period, theAND gate 162 will not be opened even if the print start signal 124 issupplied from the main controller 14 a, and so a motor start signal 125for rotating a motor 171 (FIG. 13) of an electrostatic drum 106 of theprinting unit will not be outputted to a print controller 405.

[0075] Similarly, when a print start signal 124 is supplied from themain controller 14 a and the motor start signal 125 is outputted to theprint controller 405, a mono-stable multi-vibrator 164 is triggered. Asa result, an output signal 211 takes the low level while the motor 171(FIG. 13) starts rotating to rotate the electrostatic drum 106 of theprinting unit. During this period, the AND gate 161 is closed so thatthe motor of the hard disk will not be driven and an access to the harddisk 403 is inhibited.

[0076] In the above manner, an access to the hard disk 403 is inhibitedwhile the motor 171 of the printing unit starts rotating, whereas themotor 171 of the printing unit will not be driven while the motor 502 ofthe hard disk starts rotating.

[0077]FIG. 13 shows the outline structure of the printing unit. Likeelements to those shown in FIG. 2 are represented by using identicalreference numerals.

[0078] In FIG. 13, reference numeral 171 represents a main motor forrotating the electrostatic drum 106, reference numeral 171 represents amotor for rotating a polygon mirror 105, and reference numeral 173represents a motor driver for driving these motors. Reference numeral174 represents a beam detector for detecting near at the electrostaticdrum 106 a laser beam reflected and scanned by the polygon mirror 105.This detection signal is outputted to the print interface unit 405 as abeam detect signal (horizontal sync signal) 126. Reference numeral 175represents a rotary disk which rotates with the electrostatic drum 106mounted on its rotary axis. When a slit 176 formed in the rotary disk175 is detected by a photocoupler 177, this detection signal isoutputted to the print interface unit 405 as the vertical sync signal.Reference numeral 316 represents a motor for rotating a fixing unit 315,and reference numeral 317 represents a motor driver for driving themotor 316. Reference numeral 313 represents a transfer unit, andreference numeral 315 represents the fixing unit.

[0079] The print interface unit 405 outputs print data to aparallel/serial converter 16 synchronously with the sync signals 126 and127, and a serial signal 128 is supplied to the printing unit. Thisserial signal is supplied to the laser driver 102 to drive thesemiconductor laser 103, to turn it on and off, and to print the imageon a recording sheet by means of a known electrophotographing method.

[0080]FIG. 14 shows the relationship between drive current and time of ageneral motor. At the initial stage of activating the motor, a largedrive current I1 flows, and a small current I2 flows thereafter at thesteady state of motor rotation. In the printer having the hard disk 403shown in FIG. 10, if the motor 502 of the hard disk 403 and the mainmotor 171 of the printing unit are driven both at the same time, itbecomes necessary to use a power source having a current capacity largerthan two times the current I1 shown in FIG. 14.

[0081] In the printer with the hard disk 403 of the third embodiment,the motor 502 of the hard disk 403 and the main motor 171 of theprinting unit are inhibited to be driven both at the same time, reducingthe current capacity of the power source of the printer.

[0082] In the third embodiment, a hard disk has been illustrativelyused. The present invention is not limited to the hard disk, but otherdevices such as floppy disks may also be used.

[0083] Not only the main motor of the printing unit in the embodiment,but also a start signal 149 and start enabled signal 150 for a motor 316of the fixing unit may also be controlled in the similar manner. Thestructure of the motor controller 402 for the latter case is shown inFIG. 16, and the outline structure of the printer is shown in FIG. 15.In FIG. 16, reference numerals 190 to 192 represent AND gates, andreference numerals 163 to 165 represent mono-stable multi-vibrators. Theoperation of the motor controller 402 a is fundamentally the same asthat shown in FIG. 11, and so the description therefor is omitted.

[0084] In the above embodiments, a flash PROM is used as thenon-volatile memory 19. Instead, it is obvious that an EEPROMmanufactured by different processes or a hard disk may be used forexample.

[0085] Furthermore, data transfer between the host computer and printeris performed via a data line in the above embodiments. Another signalline dedicated to a status signal indicating an over-flow may also beused additionally.

[0086] The present invention may be applied to a system having aplurality of apparatuses and to a system having a single apparatus. Thepresent invention is also applicable to a system or apparatus itself byusing programs of this invention.

[0087] As appreciated from the foregoing description of the embodiments,a host computer can know the memory capacity of a printer in advance.Accordingly, character patterns can be transmitted in various wayssuitable for various operation conditions.

[0088] The host computer can transmit only necessary character patternsto the printer and designate whether the character patterns are to bestored in a RAM if they are allowed to be erased, or in an erasablenon-volatile memory if they are not allowed to be erased inadvertently.Accordingly, character patterns can be managed easily.

[0089] A plurality of motors of a printer are not driven at the sametime, thereby allowing the capacity of the power source to be reduced.

[0090] As described so far, according to the present invention,character patterns and the like can be stored in advance.

[0091] It is possible to designate whether character patterns sent froman external apparatus is to be stored in a non-volatile memory or in avolatile memory.

[0092] For a printer having a plurality of motors, it is possible not todrive the motors at the same time, reducing the current consumed at thesame time and hence the capacity of the power source.

[0093] The status request menu 1000, status reception menu 1001, andcharacter pattern storage menu 1002 are controlled by an unrepresentedCPU of the host computer 10.

[0094] In the above embodiments, the laser beam printer such as shown inFIG. 2 is used by way of example. It is, however, apparent from thefollowing description that an ink jet printer such as shown in FIGS. 20and 21 may also be used.

[0095]FIG. 20 is a perspective view showing the structure of a printerapplicable to the present invention, such as an ink jet printer.

[0096] In FIG. 20, a drive motor 5013 rotates in the normal and reversedirections. A lead screw 5005 is fitted in a spiral groove 5004 androtated by the drive motor 5013 via drive transmission gears 5011 and5009. A carriage HC coupling to the spiral groove 5004 has anunrepresented pin and is reciprocally moved in the arrow a and bdirections. An ink jet cartridge IJC is mounted on the carriage HC. Apaper pusher plate 5002 pushes a recording sheet against a platen 5000over the carriage motion span. Photocouplers 5007 and 5008 detect alever 5006 of the carriage when they enter the detection range of thephotocouplers, and function as a home position detecting means forchanging the rotation direction of the motor 5013. A member 5016supports a cap member 5022 for capping the surface of a recording head.Suction means 5015 sucks the inside of the cap member to perform suctionrecovery of the recording head via an opening 5023 in the cap member. Acleaning blade 5017 is moved backward and forward by a member 5019. Amain body support plate 5018 supports the blade 5017 and member 5019. Alever 5012 is used for starting the suction of the suction recovery, andmoves with a cam 5020 engaged with the carriage under the control by aknown transmission means such as clutches operated by the driving motor.

[0097] The capping, cleaning, and suction recovery operations areperformed with the help of the lead screw 5005 when the carriage entersthe home position area. These operations may be performed by using adifferent system so long as it allows such operations at known timings.

[0098]FIG. 21 is a functional block diagram of the printer shown in FIG.20.

[0099] In FIG. 21, reference numeral 1700 represents an interface viawhich a record signal is inputted, reference numeral 1701 represents anMPU, reference numeral 1702 represents a program ROM for storing controlprograms to be executed by MPU 1701, and reference numeral 1703represents a DRAM for storing various data such as the record signal andrecord data supplied to the head. Reference numeral 1704 represents agate array for controlling the supply of record data to a recording head1708 and for the data transfer between the interface 1700, MPU 1701, andDRAM 1703. Reference numeral 1710 represents a carrier motor fortransporting the recording head 1708, reference numeral 1705 representsa head driver for driving the recording head, reference numeral 1706represents a motor driver for driving the transport motor 1709, andreference numeral 1707 represents a motor driver for driving the carriermotor 1710.

[0100] With the printer constructed as above, when a record signal isinputted from the host computer to the interface 1700, the record signalis converted into a print record data by the gate array 1704 and MPU1701. Then, the motor drivers 1706 and 1707 are driven to actuate therecording head in accordance with the record data supplied from the headdriver and to print the record data.

What is claimed is:
 1. An information processing apparatus comprising:setting means for setting an instruction for an inquiry of the capacityof a memory means on a data destination side; and transferring means fortransferring said instruction set by said setting means to an externalapparatus.
 2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein saidinstruction to be set by said setting means requests the availablecapacity of said memory means.
 3. An apparatus according to claim 1,wherein said instruction to be set by said setting means requests thetotal capacity of said memory means.
 4. An apparatus according to claim1, wherein said memory means is provided in said external apparatusconnected via a data line to said information processing apparatus. 5.An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said information processingapparatus is a host computer.
 6. An apparatus according to claim 1,wherein said transferring means transfers said instruction to a laserbeam printer.
 7. An output apparatus comprising: memory means forstoring data received from an external apparatus; and output meansresponsive to a reception of an instruction of an inquiry of thecapacity of said memory means from said external apparatus, foroutputting information of the capacity of said memory means to saidexternal apparatus.
 8. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein saidreceived instruction requests the available capacity of said memorymeans.
 9. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said receivedinstruction requests the total capacity of said memory means.
 10. Anapparatus according to claim 7, wherein said output means transfers saidinformation to a host computer.
 11. An apparatus according to claim 7,wherein said output means is a laser printer.
 12. An informationprocessing apparatus comprising: generating means for generating aninstruction of designating one of a plurality of memory means on a datadestination side; and transferring means for transferring saidinstruction generated by said generating means to an external apparatus.13. An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said instructiongenerated by said generating means designates one of non-volatile memorymeans and volatile memory means on said data destination side.
 14. Anapparatus according to claim 12, wherein said memory means is providedin said external apparatus connected via a data line to said informationprocessing apparatus.
 15. An apparatus according to claim 12, whereinsaid transferring means transfers said instruction to a laser beamprinter.
 16. An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein saidinformation processing apparatus is a host computer.
 17. An outputapparatus comprising: a plurality of memory means for storing datareceived from an external apparatus; and controlling means responsive tothe reception of an instruction of designating one of said plurality ofmemory means and said data sent from said external apparatus, forstoring said data in said designated memory means in accordance withsaid instruction.
 18. An output apparatus according to claim 17, whereinsaid instruction sent from said external apparatus designates one ofnon-volatile memory means and volatile memory means within saidplurality of memory means for storing said received data.
 19. Anapparatus according to claim 17, wherein a host computer transfers saiddata to said output apparatus.
 20. An apparatus according to claim 17,wherein said output apparatus is a laser printer.
 21. An outputapparatus comprising: a plurality of motors to be driven for an outputprocess or a storage process; and inhibiting means for inhibiting, whenat least one of said plurality of motors is driven, the other motors tobe driven.
 22. An apparatus according to claim 21, wherein said motor isa motor for rotating an electrostatic drum of a printing unit performingsaid output process.
 23. An apparatus according to claim 21, whereinsaid motor is a motor for driving a disk of a storage unit performingsaid storage process.
 24. An apparatus according to claim 21, whereinsaid output apparatus is a laser printer.